How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux

It is often difficult to determine if are buying genuine leather sofas due to misleading product descriptions and price tags. You should get close to the couch and inspect it with care. Feel, smell, and flip the cushion to check out the backing.

For example, a 'leather couch' CHOICE tested had upholstered 'contact' (such as the seats and armrests) with genuine leather. The non-contact areas were made up of cotton and coated polyester.

1. Smell

A real leather sofa should smell rich and natural. Faux leather however, often smells chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch smells bad it could be due to urine from your pet. In most cases, a good cleaning will eliminate the smell. If you're not pleased with the results, try applying a leather conditioner. This will restore the moisture to the leather and make it more soft and less brittle. It also makes it more resistant to smells.

Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor-removing agent that can be used to eliminate unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then use a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the surface of your leather sofa. If the cloth starts to pick up dirt, squeeze it out or switch to an alternative. Alternatively, you can put the solution in a spray bottle and spritz it over your couch. Leave the mixture to dry before wiping it again.

Airing your leather out is another natural way to get rid of odors. If possible, set the couch outside in a sunny area to air it out. This will help eliminate any unwanted odors, and give the couch a fresh, natural scent.

If you want to stay clear of unpleasant odors, you can buy a leather conditioner containing healthy oils. This will stop your leather from taking in unpleasant odors and keep it looking good for a longer time.

Although the smell of natural leather is appealing, it isn't always easy to maintain. As time passes, leather will absorb odors, such as smoke, cooking and even body odor. These odors can be difficult to get rid of especially if you have pets or children. Real leather couches do not absorb odors like fabrics can. This makes them an ideal choice for families with active children.

It's important to take action immediately in the event that your couch smells like it was soaked in puppy urine. You can try some of the tips above, or use a specific product like Leather Honey to treat the problem. Prevention is the best solution but be sure to teach your dog not to pee on the couch!

2. Contact us with any questions.

There are some clues to look for when buying leather furniture, but the most reliable way to determine whether it's authentic is to touch it and smell it. Genuine leather has a distinct, natural scent that is unmistakable. The scent can fade as time passes but there should be no mistaking it when the couch is brand new.

A genuine leather sofa should also be soft to the feel and warm in temperature. Faux and bonded leathers tend to be colder and have a an unpleasant plastic feel. To test it, gently press your fingers against the surface of a couch and feel for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps, the leather is likely to be faux or bonded leather.

Another dead giveaway is if you notice stitched vertical seams on the back of the sofa. This means that the leather isn't one continuous piece. Genuine leather couches are identified by this.

The quality of the frame on leather couches can have a significant impact on its lifespan however, it's often not obvious. To make sure you're buying a sofa which will last, ask what kind of wood is used to construct the frame. Solid oak frames are the most durable, but they're also the most expensive. Particle board or engineered frames will be less sturdy. To improve durability, hardwood frames should be dried kiln to stop the growth of mildew and warping.

If you are on a budget, you can still find an authentic leather sofa you will love. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa, for example, is a stylish and versatile choice that's usually available for sale and can be adapted to your home.

Another budget-friendly option is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa It is classic in design and comes in a variety of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. This modular sofa is quite difficult to set up at home and the cushions on the back tend to slide down.

3. Backing

Genuine leather couches are a class apart from other types of upholstery. Leather sofas are extremely robust and withstand wear and tear far better than fabrics, which makes them last for years to be. They are also less likely to attract allergens, dust or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are some issues to be aware of when buying a leather sofa - and it is important to know what to look out for before you make your final decision.

If you're unsure whether your new couch is genuine leather, the first thing you should do is examine the materials tag on the frame to discover the exact type of leather or fabric it's made of. However, you must use your own senses to assist you in making a decision if you can't discover any information regarding the materials used to make the sofa.

The sofa's surface should be examined closely and pay attention to the pattern, texture, and shading. A genuine leather couch will have natural imperfections and will not be perfectly uniform in terms of structure patterns, patterns, or shading. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh backing is visible instead of the coarse leather, it's a clear indicator of fake or synthetic leather.

Check the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has a vertical stitching on its back, it's not real leather. The reason is that animal hides are limited in their size, and they can only be cut so large. To ensure the highest quality of their products, the top manufacturers will sew and stitch throughout the back of the couch to ensure it's genuine leather and not fake or bonded leather.

If you are able to, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and look at the back of the cushion. If the back of the cushion is covered with a woven fabric or covered with polyurethane, it is another indication that the sofa is not genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel sturdy and rough when touched.

4. Patterns

A leather sofa is a classic and with good reason. The material's warm, natural look and feel can elevate any living space. Modern tanning methods give it added durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sagging. Each hide is distinctive with its own unique markings, grain and blemishes.

The best way to tell whether the leather you are buying is genuine is to inspect it up close. Inspect the texture of the surface, its structure and pattern to get an even more precise view of its authenticity. If the structure of the leather is consistent and there aren't any visible blemishes on it, then it is likely to be fake or bonding.

Another obvious sign is a polyurethane backing on the sofa's back. This is a common characteristic of the bonded leather. Genuine leather will have a more natural appearance and is backed by materials that closely match the fabric used in making furniture.

Finally, check the back of the couch to see two or three stitched vertical seams. This is an indication of a high-quality piece of leather that has been designed to last. If there aren't any seams, and the rear looks like a continuous cloth, then it is likely to be a faux or bonded-leather sofa.

Once you've confirmed that your sofa is made of genuine leather, it's time to match it with other furniture for your living space. For a sleek, unified style, match your couch with other furniture made of wood, and line it with pillows that echo the color scheme of your space. You can also go for an energizing, relaxing layout by placing the couch in between two pieces of furniture, with a coffee table between.

Keep your leather sofa away from direct sunlight to prevent it fading or forming scratches. If you're looking to safeguard your investment by prolonging its lifespan, consider applying a leather protection product every two or three times a year.